Hi.
So many questions!
In general my experience of the NHS has been a very positive one, I can get appointments with the doctor quickly, midwives were incredibly supportive during a difficult pregnacy and labour and since then my Health Visitors have been absolutely brilliant in offering advice and support on every little, and big problem I've had.

But...I was diagnosed with PND nearly seven months ago and, because I opted for counselling rather than prozac (I was told I couldn't take pills if breastfeeding. And surely pills should be a last resort, not a first?) I am still waiting for counselling to begin. I had an initial assessment with the counsellor at my practice six months ago and was assessed as 'severely depressed', yet it will be another 6 - 8 weeks before counselling can begin. Even then I will only be given 6 sessions, however many may be needed.
According to a friend of mine who is currently doing a counselling course this situation is not due to a lack of counsellors, but to a lack of funding.

Articles I have read suggest that the number of people in this country who will suffer from some kind of mental health issues at some point during their lifetime is huge, and growing. Surely there should be much more funding in this area, not less. Depression and anxiety cause other problems such as obesity, bulemia, anorexia, alcohol and substance abuse. There are working days lost. Problems are not limited to the sufferer but impact the families and friends of those who suffer.

Prevention is always better than cure and early diagnoses and treatment in this area is of utmost importance. I'd like to see the NHS doing more about it.

Raffixx